A frozen food superstore has been closed due to a “widespread infestation of mice”.

Maidstone council issued a hygiene emergency prohibition notice on Iceland, in The Mall, Maidstone, yesterday (February 20) following an unannounced visit.

A spokesperson for the local authority said its food and safety team inspected the unit following a complaint from a member of the public.

They added: “During the visit, evidence of an active infestation of mice was found, resulting in a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice being served immediately.

“The council is working closely with Iceland Foods Ltd and the management of The Mall to address the situation.”

The notice has been posted in the unit’s window. It reads: “There is an active, widespread infestation of mice, with gnawed food, poor maintenance of routine cleaning resulting in a significant risk of contamination of food.”

A spokesperson for Iceland said the store was “immediately deep cleaned” following the visit and the team has been working with environmental health and the council to reopen as quickly as possible.

They added: “We aim for the highest standards in all our stores, and the store has a strong food hygiene rating."

In August, the branch received a four-star food hygiene rating and was rated as “very good” in both hygienic food handling and management of food safety.

In terms of cleanliness and the condition of facilities and the building, which includes pest control, it was said to be “generally satisfactory”.

It is not yet known when the national grocery chain will reopen at the shopping centre.